Best General Electric Garbage Disposals

When you start looking at things you need for the home, one of the things that might come to mind is a garbage disposal. Much more than a mere convenience, these home appliances can make your life easier by condensing the amount of time it takes to clean up the kitchen after enjoying a meal together with those who are close to you. It also makes it far less likely that you’ll eventually end up being forced to call a plumber because the drains are stopped up, thanks to food that inadvertently made its way down them. If you’re thinking about buying a garbage disposal, it’s important to know which ones are solid choices. Below is a review of five different garbage disposals made by General Electric, one of the premier companies to manufacture such devices.

If you’re looking for a garbage disposal that can handle a lot of food waste, this is an excellent choice. As a matter of fact, it’s actually designed to handle large amounts of waste, making it one of the better choices for large households where a smaller system might have trouble keeping up with the demand being placed on it.

Pros

It can handle a larger capacity than most garbage disposals designed for the home.

It’s relatively easy to install and connect to power.

It comes complete with everything needed to install it right out of the box.

It also has a warranty that’s good for two years.

At less than $70, it’s an affordable option.

The system has very few complaints against it from previous customers.

Cons

It features a new, updated design so it may not fit if replacing an older system.

Interesting to know

This system is designed to be easy to install, making it possible to do so without professional help. It also has both a stopper and a splash guard, both of which come included with the disposal. The blades are made from stainless steel and can swivel in either direction for superior performance. It also incorporates a turntable manufactured from galvanized steel and rotates at more than 2800 RPM. This makes it ideal for those houses that have larger amounts of food waste. In addition, it connects to a power supply with a single wire, minimizing the chances for error and making installation easier.

This is another large capacity machine that is designed for larger families that typically have fairly large amounts of food waste. It’s also designed to handle that waste more completely so that drains are allowed to flow more freely. This makes it a good option when you’re dealing with a home that has had some issues with clogged drains in the past, as it doesn’t tend to contribute to the problem after installation.

Pros

It’s designed specifically for homes that have drainage issues.

It’s capable of handling a large amount of waste.

It’s easy to install, everything is included.

The machine is designed to minimize jamming.

It’s affordable at just under $90.

Cons

In some rare instances, the machine has become corroded on the inside.

This type of corrosion can prevent it from performing as desired and may necessitate replacing it.

Interesting to know

Like many other modern-day garbage disposals, this one has both the splash guard and the stopper included with it, both of which are removable. It also incorporates blades that are made from galvanized steel, capable of turning both clockwise and counter-clockwise to ensure more complete operation. Like the machine listed above, it’s capable of rotating at approximately 2800 RPM, even though it operates on exactly half the horsepower. In addition, the blades on this machine are specially designed to help prevent jamming up, meaning that there is less likelihood for problems later on down the road.

Warning

A small number of customers (less than one percent) have reported that the machine rusted out after a little more than five years. Although this has been an extremely isolated issue, it’s worth noting.

If you’ve been searching for a unit that allows you to be more environmentally conscious, yet you live in a small space like an apartment or RV, this is a garbage disposal that is designed for just such matters. It doesn’t take up a lot of room under the sink, yet it’s capable of handling the food waste without a problem. In addition, it operates much more quietly than most comparable garbage disposals, making it a good choice for those who live in an apartment where noise can be a major concern.

Pros

It’s lightweight and compact, making it a good fit for smaller spaces.

It has a warranty for two years from the date of purchase.

It costs less than $70 to purchase.

Cons

It can become noisy if one of the blades breaks.

For some, the instructions are confusing, making it harder for them to install the machine correctly.

Interesting to know

Like the other systems that have already been mentioned, this one comes complete with everything you need to install it directly out of the box. It’s fairly easy to install, even if you’re not accustomed to doing this type of work. Like other popular models, it’s made from galvanized steel and the blades are capable of turning in either direction. It’s designed to minimize jams, but if one does occur, it’s relatively easy to clear this unit.

Warning

While the system is not complicated, the instructions aren’t really all that clear. This can sometimes pose a problem for those who are trying to install it without any experience with such things. There have also been a few reports of broken blades, causing the disposal to vibrate and become excessively noisy. If this happens, it requires replacing the unit in its entirety.

If you’re looking for a garbage disposal that’s capable of handling more food waste than the smaller, slightly more economical versions, this is a good place to start. It stands at a height of approximately 15 inches and is also about twice as large in diameter as the other systems that have been listed thus far. The machine also has a number of features that many of the smaller units do not incorporate, making it somewhat easier to operate. The additional features also make it a popular option with those who are searching for a way to maximize convenience and minimize the amount of time they are required to spend cleaning up the kitchen on a daily basis.

Pros

This system is designed to be more durable than many smaller units.

It can handle larger pieces of waste because of the dual-level pre-cutter.

It’s easy to install.

The system operates efficiently and economically.

At approximately $116, it’s a good option for those who want additional features.

It can be connected directly to the dishwasher.

It has a switch that mounts on the wall.

The system can be reset manually if an overload occurs.

Cons

There are mixed approval ratings concerning this system.

Some customers have reported that parts have broken early on, necessitating replacement.

Interesting to know

This unit comes complete with a number of interesting features. First and foremost, the blades are made of stainless steel and are designed to turn in either direction. As previously mentioned, this is one of the larger machines, so it can easily handle additional food waste without jamming, It’s also a continuous feed unit, which results in smoother operation. This unit rotates at 3100 RPM on three-quarters horsepower, so it’s fairly efficient. In addition, it features a dual-level pre-cutter instead of a single stage system. As is the case with most units that are manufactured these days, it has a turntable made from stainless steel, as well as a stopper and splash guard, both of which can be removed. One of its more unique features includes a steel armature shaft made from cold-rolled carbon-steel for added strength. It also has a sink flange made from stainless steel. This often makes it easier to install. Like most systems, it’s complete with everything you need to install it as soon as you receive it and it connects to a power supply with a single wire. This simplifies the installation process even further. This particular system also comes with an attached wall switch and a special connector just for the dishwasher. Last but not least, it features a manual reset button for continues ease of operation.

Warning

Although the unit incorporates a number of interesting features that aren’t always seen on other garbage disposals, it has a mixed customer review rating. As a matter of fact, roughly half of the individuals who have purchased this machine absolutely love it. The other half have reported a number of problems with its performance related to reliability issues. It’s rather uncommon to see such mixed reviews, especially when they seem to be polar opposites of each other, but it is worth noting.

If you like the idea of having a garbage disposal with additional features but you don’t want to spend quite as much money, this particular unit can give you everything you want and it still comes in at less than $100. Many people are looking for a garbage disposal system that incorporates the maximum number of features without spending a lot of money. This is a system that allows you have the same features you would expect to find on a pricier system, all for about the same cost as you might expect to pay for one of the more economical, standard units.

Pros

This unit costs far less than most deluxe machines, yet it incorporates the same features for $94.

It can be connected to the dishwasher.

It’s designed to last for a number of years if operated properly.

It has a two-year warranty.

The disposal has a switch that can be mounted onto the wall.

There is a manual override button.

Cons

Some may think the machine is too noisy.

Interesting to know

It is designed to have an extra-large capacity, and it turns at a rate of 2800 RPM on .5 horsepower. The system features parts made from stainless steel, including the turntable and the blades. It also comes with a sink stopper and a splash guard made from stainless steel, as well. Like many of the nicer machines, the armature shaft is constructed from cold-rolled carbon-steel, making the disposal stronger and more durable. It can be connected to the dishwasher and it comes with a switch that can be mounted on the wall. The blades are designed to prevent jamming, but if it does happen or if the system itself overloads, you can clear it and then reset it manually, thanks to a separate reset button.

Warning

Generally speaking, there are very few complaints about this system. That being said, there have been a few reports concerning the amount of noise made by the machine while it’s in operation. This doesn’t necessarily mean that there is a problem with the machine itself, as the complaints could potentially be attributed to the expectations of a quieter machine for some customers. Nevertheless, it’s something that everyone should know about up front. That way, each person can make their own educated decision concerning whether or not this might be the right machine for them.

Buyers’ Guide

While it’s true that any of these machines will probably work well for you if you are in the market for a new garbage disposal, there are certain ones that have better track records than others. If you’re in need of a machine that can handle fairly large amounts of food waste but you want to keep the budget down, you might be interested in the General Electric GFC520V 1/2 Horsepower Continuous Feed System. It manages to accomplish all the basics with relative ease and it doesn’t have a lot of problems that you will end up having to contend with. It’s a good basic system that operates well and doesn’t have a lot of complaints against it. On the other hand, if you’re looking for an even larger system that has extra features like a wall switch, a manual override button and an ability to connect directly to the dishwasher, the General Electric GFC530V Deluxe Continuous Feed unit is a good choice. The system is larger than most, has several amenities that the more economical systems don’t have, and there are very few issues with the unit itself.

Conclusion

In closing, it isn’t unreasonable to think that one could be happy with virtually any of the machines on this list. Like most things, it comes down to making a decision concerning the types of features you want on your own machine. Your choice will also depend on the amount of food waste you typically have to deal with. Once you really consider these points, along with the amount of money you would like to spend, you can make a solid decision regarding your purchase.

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Peter Mattson / Senior Contributor

A professional plumber. Spent 11 years helping people with their problems. The only author on this blog who wants to share his experience with people and help find the best answers for any question about garbage disposals.